South Adelaide braved the rain to secure a gritty 22-point win over Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium, powered by a six-goal second term.

The result snapped a six-game losing streak against the Tigers, marking the Panthers’ first Carey-Darley Cup win since 2022 and their first at the Bay since Round 9, 2020.

Undefeated entering the contest, Glenelg laboured through the opening 20 minutes with only one goal on the board, courtesy of captain Liam McBean.

Isaac Birt won a free kick in the middle of the ground, finding Ben Shillabeer for the mark inside 50 after his defensive opponent overcommitted. He converted his set shot to give the Panthers their only goal in a low-scoring quarter.

Finn Emile-Brennan provided attack on the footy, leading all comers with 11 disposals at quarter time.

The lead was snatched by South Adelaide, pouncing with two goals in a minute after the break. Bailey Pilmore crumbed the fall of the ball in the pocket, seemingly appearing out of nothing to kick a checkside under pressure from the trailing defenders.

Immediately following on, Emmanuel Ajang was in the right spot at the right time as the ball went forward again, with Olivier Northam able to rove his own tap in the centre.

The game slowed back down as heavy rain began to fall, turning stoppages into a tough, hard-fought slog around the ground. The Panthers prioritised territory over precision, repeatedly driving the ball long and locking it inside 50.

South Adelaide’s ability to drive the ball in deep allowed their forwards to capitalise at ground level and create chances. Though untidy, the Panthers successfully executed their game plan to suit the conditions.

This was partly helped by the Tigers’ inaccuracy in front of goal, recording 1.7 early on.

A slip from Patrick Parnell in the middle opened the door for Corey Grocock on the turnover. Pilmore became the link in the chain, his deep kick intended to be spoiled out of play, only to fall into the hands of Tom Gillett on the goal line for a simple finish.

As they had done earlier in the quarter, South Adelaide delivered a double blow, with Jack Delean storming into a forming pack at the top of the square to run past and force through another goal.

Glenelg found answers in their star forwards Hosie and McBean, but the Panthers struck back again, Riley Baldi clean with his hands low to the ground to set up Ajang for his second.

Arie Schoenmaker had impressed with his vision in the first half, his long kicking creating a score launch in transition, as Eamon Wilkinson side-stepped his opponent and steadied towards goal to reassert South Adelaide’s advantage.

The script flipped after half-time in terms of goal efficiency, but Wilkinson, the most experienced Panther in the game, added two more majors to lead his team in the all-important third quarter.

In between, Delean bobbed up for his second goal, following a deep entry from Schoenmaker’s boot.

Down 26 points going into the final quarter, Glenelg made one final charge, but an Arlo Draper goal made sure it was a memorable away day for the Panthers.

It was a complete team performance from South Adelaide, their first half attacking strength reinforced by relentless defensive pressure. The Panthers finished with 35 more tackles than the Tigers, Draper leading the way with a remarkable 15.

The young backline stood tall, restricting a potent Glenelg forward line to just seven goals.

Emile-Brennan and Harley Sparks controlled the footy with 25 disposals and 5 marks each, while Schoenmaker recorded 19 kicks from his 22 disposals.

Baldi was a class above at the ground ball, picking up 19 disposals and 10 tackles, while ruckman Northam continued his strong form, leading the side with six clearances to go with 35 hitouts.

The small forwards proved the difference in front of goal, with Wilkinson the frontrunner with three majors, followed by Delean with two. Draper, Gillett, Pilmore and Shillabeer also hit the scoreboard, while Ajang added two goals of his own.

South Adelaide Senior Coach Jarrad Wright also coached his 150th game, making him the longest serving coach in South Adelaide history. 

South Adelaide will be looking for their third win in a row as they return home to Magain Stadium to host North Adelaide on Saturday, 9^th May at 2:10pm.